CHAPTER 1 Ideology and

Ideologies
What does an “ideology” mean?

Power of ideas
Explanation of the world
Ideologies-- sets of ideas that shape people's thinking
and actions with regard to race, nationality, the role
and function of government, the relationship b/w men
and women, human responsibility for the natural
environment, etc.
P. 5 of text
For most of the 20th century, the clash of 3 political
ideologies--liberalism, communism, and fascism--
dominated world politics.
Where do political ideologies come
from?
particular backgrounds and conditions
typically grow out of some sense of grievance or
injustice--some conviction that things are not as they
could or should be.
Every ideology and every political movement has its
origins in the ideas of some earlier thinkers. In this
regard, we take the historical perspective
4 Functions of an Ideology
An ideology is a fairly coherent and comprehensive set
of ideas that explains and evaluates social conditions,
helps people understand their place in society, and
provides a program for social and political action.

Explanation
Evaluation
Orientation
Political program
Questions…
Are scientific theories ideologies?
Is “capitalism” an ideology?
How about terrorism?
Political philosophy = political ideology?
Is a religion an ideology?
Nationalism: an ideology or not?
What does it mean?

How does it perform the functions of an ideology?

Anarchism: an ideology or not?
How to define it?

The anarchist view of nation-states…

Ways to achieve anarchism…

Human nature and freedom
2 features of every ideology
a set of basic beliefs about human nature
a conception of freedom
Some conception of human nature
Freedom is essentially a contested concept.
Every conception of freedom includes: 1. an agent, 2. a
barrier or obstacle blocking the agent, and 3. a goal the
agent aims at.
Human Nature
Generally speaking, you believe people are:
A. Inherently good
B. Inherently evil
C. Not smart enough to take care of themselves--In
need of strong leaders and authority
D. In need of intellectuals to bring them to full
consciousness
Do we prefer competition or cooperation, naturally?

Are we able to make wise decisions most of the time?

Do we most often rely on instincts or logic to make

decisions?
Interpretation of Freedom
In your view, "Freedom" pertains to (if you feel
freedom pertains to all these things, pick what you
think is most important):
A. The right of a citizen to maintain tradition and
continuity
B. The right of a citizen pursue economic prosperity
C. The right of a citizen to do what whatever he/she
wants, as long as it does not hurt others
D. The right of a citizen to be free from economic
oppression
The Triadic Model of Freedom

OBSTACLE

AGENT GOAL